C_T Posted March 6, 2009 (edited) Hey guy's/gal's, Special thanks to those that helped this happen. Here's some porn first off. The one in the background here, should i chop it in 1/2 and make 2? I'm trying to achieve a propagation farm which in 5yrs will be vast. My first real pup. Very cute. This doesn't have roots yet, only just potted last week. Infact all of the above except the small seeding type were potted last week. This section, i thought was dead... But then it pupped last week, so i stuck it in a pot... Not sure what it'll do. Ok thats the porn out of the way ;) Question: I have another 55cm piece on the way, should i chop it into top/middle/bottom and plant all 3? Or keep as 1 piece untill it gets roots and had a first pup? Question: I have these 2 humidity chambers and propagation sand. Is it too late in the season to start seedlings now? I don't have any artificial lights, it will either go outside on this balcony or inside the sliding glass door if its too cold. Suggestions/Comments welcome. I'm newbie so please point out anything that may help. Cheers!!! Edited March 12, 2009 by C_T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evil Genius Posted March 6, 2009 (edited) Hi CT! Nice collection! But the infection looks nasty! I´m pretty sure it will spread! Remove the pup and then cut that infected part away! bye Eg edit: To answer your questions: Some people just sow out in summer but i dont think that this is important for cacti! I sow out my seeds the whole year! No Problemo! But surely not outside! You have a heater, havent you? Just put the greenhouses in front of it! You could chop the others in half to get more biomass but make sure that the pieces arent too small! Very small Cuttings grow less vigorously! Better make two middle sized cuttings out of them than three very small ones! Edited March 6, 2009 by Evil Genius Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiral Posted March 6, 2009 Cut the rot off as close to the pup as possible...Oz has very mild winters and you germ seeds inside all year round anyways..as long as the seed is fresh and viable it will germinate..just try and keep it warn enough..humidity is the key and it can be 20 degrees in a room but like 24 inside a plastic tub with 90% humidity. Also make sure those cacti get plenty of real world outdoor sun or they will grow etoiliated and skinny..cactus are tough as man give em heaps and don't sweat it...but cut that rot off ASAP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 6, 2009 Remove the pup and then cut that infected part away! So how do i remove the pup? Should i graft it to a bottom stock, or root it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 6, 2009 Also make sure those cacti get plenty of real world outdoor sun or they will grow etoiliated and skinny.. What you mean about real world sun? It gets direct sunlight in the morning and afternoon, is that good enough? Cheers for the comments guy's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
momomoto Posted March 6, 2009 sunlight gives different amounts of light frequencies (spectrum) than say a ceiling flouro and a desk lamp. These artificial lights are o.k. to use BTW, just gotta get some good real sun in there too. Looks like you have a good angle to get some sunlight, maybe supplement this with some other light. My growing project is now to a point where I want to try and keep growing through the shorter, colder days ahead. - I'm going to just get some spotlights that come on at about 4 am and off about 7 or 8, when the natural light hits them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blangschpeer Posted March 6, 2009 For rotted sections I like to mix up a powder that's 1/6th mancozeb - 5/6ths sulfur. If you only have sulfur thats fine, just cut away until there is no longer any sign of infection (snotty/discoloured flesh) and then dust with sulfur or the mix of mancozeb/sulfur. In the future if you see that the cactus is showing any signs of infection like it is now, try to catch it early and give it repeated doses of watered down mancozeb (according to the directions of course), don't worry about appearing paranoid; if it saves just one cactus it's worth it (and it doesn't really hurt the healthy ones, plus it can be one tiny tiny step in controlling fungus gnats if growing inside... [obvoiously there are a number of other factors there that would take an entire other thread to deal with]) If you get some cheap fluoro lamps from a variety store and the highest wattage fluoro globe you can find (I think 23W is th best you can get at coles) for them you'll have everything you need for growing the seeds inside just try to reflect as much light back on to the seedlings as possible. Best of luck with your new cactine obsession Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 6, 2009 Thanks guy's... Just to make it clear, re: the rotted cacti. It sat wrapped in newspaper for nearly 6 months. When i opened it, it looked like that (stupidly forgot i had it). I had it sitting on the table out there, was all mushy and really i thought it was dead... But it pupped. And feels solid now. It shoot some thick roots, but i believe they failed. I didn't see it transform into that state, it was just like that when i finally opened it lol. Maybe i should cut the top and bottom off, and re-calouse it then re-root it, if it does. Still wondering how i'll remove the pup. and what to do with it (graft or root). I didn't think little ones like that rooted? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Micromegas Posted March 6, 2009 Hey man, some good suggestions here. Mine is, see the cactus in the 5th and 6th shots (midcut) and how the cut has been made on a very acute angle. This not good IMO because the pup will usually emerge on the highest side and make the cacti unstable. you will also be less likely to get pups form the low side. A flat, or near flat cut, is much better the plant will pup more evenly and with better stability. People may say cut on an angle so water drains off, I say, maybe a little angle if at all, but if the wound is well healed it will not matter much. I agree with EG make sure cuts are big enough to grow vigorously. On the other hand, a midcut that is too tall is no good, generally, esp. in a pot. that height is just a waste of energy for the plant which want to produce a gorwing tip as fast as possible. Good luck with the seeds Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 6, 2009 Mine is, see the cactus in the 5th and 6th shots (midcut) and how the cut has been made on a very acute angle. This not good IMO because the pup will usually emerge on the highest side and make the cacti unstable. Ok will do, these will never see outdoors, so no rain to worry about. That specimen is one of my favourites too! So i really want it to do the best it possibly can :D The skin on it is, beautiful!!! Will cut it flat tomorrow I agree with EG make sure cuts are big enough to grow vigorously. On the other hand, a midcut that is too tall is no good, generally, esp. in a pot. that height is just a waste of energy for the plant which want to produce a gorwing tip as fast as possible. I've got Trouts notes on Cactus Cultivation. It said for propagation farming, about 1 foot is the size. In the mail i recieved 2 only 1/2 that size, and of them, the smallest one pupped first lol. So i was just wondering, was that tall mid-section big enough to cut in 1/2? Or should i leave as is. Its definately bigger that 1 foot, but definitely not 2 foot tall. Cheers guy's, thank you so much for all this valuable info. Very much appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiral Posted March 6, 2009 Ok will do, these will never see outdoors, so no rain to worry about.That specimen is one of my favourites too! So i really want it to do the best it possibly can :D The skin on it is, beautiful!!! Will cut it flat tomorrow I've got Trouts notes on Cactus Cultivation. It said for propagation farming, about 1 foot is the size. In the mail i recieved 2 only 1/2 that size, and of them, the smallest one pupped first lol. So i was just wondering, was that tall mid-section big enough to cut in 1/2? Or should i leave as is. Its definately bigger that 1 foot, but definitely not 2 foot tall. Cheers guy's, thank you so much for all this valuable info. Very much appreciated. Hey man what do you mean these will never see outdoors...? are your cactus inside some sort of shed and they only get morning and afternoon light through windows...? if so why is that...just curious cause they love to be outside in the fresh air so as they can play and exercise with other plants etc.. H Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 6, 2009 (edited) Edit: Pics below explain Edited March 6, 2009 by C_T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 6, 2009 (edited) I get lots of good vibes from those trees, they are HUGE! Right outside my bedroom window too Edited March 12, 2009 by C_T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiral Posted March 7, 2009 Yep I got it...can I recommend that you build some sort of table or shelves that the cactus can sit on that are at window height so they get more direct light..I see that they might be slightly etoiliated from lack of light..some the smaller cactus that is..but yeah build yourself a nice run around the edges and get the pots to sit at the height of the windows... above all... have fun...you now have a new addiction... H. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) UPDATE!!! /me very happy I really need to setup time time-lapse... Sooo many of my babies will all be pupping soon. Last piece of porn for the night My newest additions. I have 2 more on their way. THEN THATS IT, NOT BUYING ANY MORE (touch wood). Obsession yes. Addiction, guilty Edited March 12, 2009 by C_T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
momomoto Posted March 11, 2009 Momomoto has winter-proofed his cacti I built a lighting rig from the local hardware store 2 x wooden planks, pre-painted @ about 4+ meters ($30) 5 x daylight 20 watt fluoro bulbs ($10) 5 x warm white 20 watt bulbs ($10) 1 x 10 light party lights string ($20?) 2 x large angle braces ($15) 28 x screws ($5?) plus some old rope and a timer switch Total = under 100 bux, took about 2 hours to assemble, fit and adjust. This is set up facing north, so it gets a good bit of sun from about 9am to 3pm, but there's big trees blocking a bit of light. I'm contemplacting a bit of a shade cover to block the bulbs a bit, cause it's really bright! I could have gone lower than 20 watts even! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 11, 2009 very sexy setup Momomoto! I think i'll take the advice above and put some lights on a timer, on my balcony. Should increase light and add warmth for those cooler months that are coming. Just trying to think of the best way to mount them... Rental apartment, so i can't drill anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiral Posted March 11, 2009 Not sure those lamps will put out the correct type of light for growth with your cactus...they might get a bit skinny and etoiliated...good job though..I love it when people get all ingenius and constructive..I'm gunna do something similar with some LED panels so I can keep my tropicals alive. H. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 11, 2009 Well i just bought a reptile heat mat for germinating, and saw there's reptile heat lamps... I do have a 400watt HPS that i don't use. Could use that but it seems a waste of electricity... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) Before, after. I think i need to go deeper on the right. The pup may or may not survive. This cutting i thought was dead! Bogan of course. Very nice example. Great variety now :D Edited March 12, 2009 by C_T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 12, 2009 (edited) booya, its a pup breaking through, yesterday i thought it was a pup forming on the outside. The last 4 that need to be potted. And a update piccie. Edited March 12, 2009 by C_T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hellonasty Posted March 12, 2009 Hunab is correct. That set up by Momomoto will not prodcue anywhere near enough light to keep trichos fat. Trichos need a great amount of light or they will grow tall and skinny. Even a 1000w HPS light setup will make trichos grow skinny. What are you trying to achive with this setup Momomoto ? Continued growth over winter ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 12, 2009 (edited) so my 400w hps won't be wasted? i'll think about putting that over top. Because i can really see a difference in cacti i have. Not just the species, but thickness. Is that all due to light? Surely some is due to species. Does anyone have an example?! I have a few really fat nice ones, i wanna keep em fat, not long skinny pups, fat like mother pups. Those seedlings were not rooted for over 3 months, thats why they may be skinny, but i can see the back one getting thick where it used to be skinny... Edited March 12, 2009 by C_T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 12, 2009 (edited) has anyone had exp with a open 400w hps? I mean there's no blinds, and i know this isn't illegal, but its gunny light up outside like a christmas tree... If i use blinds i don't get natural sun. I can't open close every day i'm at work... argg i like it open... if only 400 wasn't so fucking bright. What about strictly only a few hours hps per day, say 4-5hrs. Rest is natural sun? Edited March 12, 2009 by C_T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_T Posted March 19, 2009 (edited) ** UPDATE ** Progress And the pots all re-arranged for more optimal light. Edited March 19, 2009 by C_T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
